From classical antimalarial drugs to new compounds based on the
mechanism of action of artemisinin*
Anne Robert, Françoise Benoit-Vical, Odile Dechy-Cabaret, and
Bernard Meunier
Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination du CNRS, 205
Route de Narbonne, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
Abstract: A short review of the antimalarial drugs currently
used in human clinics is reported. The molecular aspect of the different
possible mechanisms of action of artemisinin is documented, including
recent data on heme alkylation. The preparation and the in vitro antimalarial
activity of new modular molecules named "trioxaquines" are
also presented.
*Lecture presented at the 8th International
Chemistry Conference in Africa (8th ICCA), 30 July-4 August 2001, Dakar,
Sénégal. Other presentations are published
in this issue, pp. 1147-1223.
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